Dispensing display case



NOV, I a. H. NITSCHMAN 2,2 0,87

DISPENSI I'G DISPLAY CASE Filed Sept. 3, 193a s Sheefs-Sheet 1 IN V ENTOR.

650 H N/TSCH/Wl/V ATTORNEY INVENTbR.

Nov. 5, 1940. G. H. NITSCHMAN DISPENSING DISPLAY CASE Filed Sept. 3,1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 GEO/96E H. /V/ TJCH/M/V BY ATTOR Y Patented Nov.5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT ori ice George H. Nitschman, San Antonio,Tex.

Application September 3, 1938, Serial No; 228,437

Claims.

This invention relates to the art of dispensing containers of thedisplay type, and particularly to display cases provided with means fordispensing packaged merchandise contained therein.

Dispensing display casesare generally of the vending machine type,outstanding examples of which are the coin operated machines for vendingpackages of cigarettes, candy, and the like. Coins deposited in suchmachines are impounded until removed by an authorized agent at periodicintervals. In the interim the impounded coins are out of circulation andare not available for change making. It usually is the case that apurchaser obtains change from the cashier or attendant of theestablishment in which the machine is located, in order to operate themachine, and this frequently results in a loose change shortage in theestablishment with consequent inconvenience to both patrons andmanagement, and in some instances in loss of sales. Further, suchmachines do not register sales made therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide a merchandisedispensing display case having means automatically operable to registerthe number of articles or packages dispensed, and/ or to register thecash transactions, so that at all times the total number of packageswhich have been dispensed is indicated, andalso the total cash value ofthe merchandise which has been removed.

Another object is to provide a dispensing display case provided withregister means so related to the dispensing means as to renderimpossible the actual dispensing of the contents without actuation ofthe register means. Still another object is to provide a dispensingregister display case having a coin till associated therewith andaccessible for change making purposes independently of or in conjunctionwith the operation of the dispensing means and/or the register means.

Other objects will be apparent from the description, to those skilled inthe art.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of referencedesignate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through my improved machine at one of thedispensing compartments.

Figure 2- is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 1 butillustrating the position of the parts with the dispensing slide andcoin till in Q5 delivery position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Figure 1 butillustrating an advanced position of the merchandise packagecontainingmagazine.

Figure 8 is a section similar to Figure '7 but illustrating the finalposition of the magazine prior to replenishment. a

Figure 9 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one of thedispensing slides and its associated magazine structure.

The herein disclosed embodiment of the machine comprises'a substantiallyrectangular casing C having a front display panel F through which themerchandise contained in the casing is clearly visible. One wall of thecasing, preferably the front F, constitutes a detachable closure wherebyaccess may be had to the casing interior. At its bottom the casing isprovided with a coin drawer or ti-ll 'D opening through the front andslidable beneath a horizontal panel 43 fixedly secured within the casingby appropriate supporting means. Also rigidly mounted within the casingis a horizontal base plate 2| arranged in vertically spaced relationabove the panel 43 and parallel thereto. Preferably, but notnecessarily, the base plate 2! and panel 43 are coextensive in width andlength, and extend from front to rear of the casing and from one sidewall thereof, terminating in spaced relation from the opposite side wallof the casing at a distance suitable for the accommodation of a pair ofregisters 24 and 25 arranged in longitudinal alignment transversely' ofthe casing immediately behind the display front F and visibletherethrough.

The upper back portion of the casing is provided with a merchandisestorage chamber 31 having a horizontal bottom 44 spaced vertically abovethe base 2| and having a vertical front wall 45 disposed transversely ofthe casing interior and which serves as the rear wall of a plurality ofmerchandise magazine compartments comprisedbetween a plurality ofparallel vertical partitions 6 disposed in spaced relation transverselyof the casing and extending from the storage compartment wall 45 to thefront wall of the casing and from the base 2| tothe casing top, as bestshown in Figures 3 and 9 compartments.

Each magazine compartment is adapted to contain a plurality ofmerchandise packages M, by way of example, packages of cigarettes,superimposed vertically in a plurality of tiers. In the embodimentillustrated the tiers are three in number but the number may be variedto suit the character of the merchandise and the size of the casing.

While Figure 3 indicates an arrangement of three magazine compartmentsof equal width, it is intended that this number may be Varied to conformto casing size and also that the width of individual magazinecompartments may differ to accommodate different classes of merchandise;

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that byproviding a plurality of serially arranged tiers in each magazinecompartment the height of the case may be kept low and yet at the sametime its capacity may actually be increased as compared to familiartypes of vending machines which utilize tall casings in which thepackages to be dispensed are piled in single tiers.

Each magazine compartment is provided with an individual bottomdispensing slide, see Figure 9, comprising a pair of spaced parallelside bars I secured at their front ends to a front closure plate 2carrying an external knob 3 by which the slide is manually operable inthe manner of a drawer. The side bars I are connected at their rear endsby a transverse brace 46. In effect, the slide comprises alongitudinally slotted member, the central space between the relativelynarrow side bars comprising a slot. The slide in each magazinecompartment extends across its bottom, the side bars I bearing againstthe partitions 6 and seating slidably on the base 2|. The length of eachslide is such that when it is fully retracted within the casing itsinner rear end extends well beneath the storage compartment 37. Thelimit of outward travel of the slide is determined by an appropriatelylocated stop 60 on the base 2| behind a vertical pin I9 which isanchored in the base 2| and rises to the bottom 44 of the storagecompartment 37 in approximately the longitudinal median of the slide.When the rear brace 46 of the slide abuts against the stop 60 the frontend of the slide will have traveled sufficiently far outwardly to permitthe ready removal of the bottommost package dispensed from the firsttier through the delivery port 4'! as the slide is pulled out.

Figures 1 and 2 disclose that the front plate 2 of the slide completelycovers the delivery port when the slide is retracted, and that the loweredge of the slide front plate has an internal shiplapped jointengagement with the upper edge of the front of the coin drawer D. Itwill be understood that the front of the coin drawer extends across thefronts of all the magazine By this arrangement it becomes obvious thateach time a slide is pulled out the coin drawer is pulled open but thecoin drawer may be opened independently of the slides and withoutactuating same. This feature is of material value in that the contentsof the coin drawer are at all times available for making change, and themoney is not impounded.

The invention comprehends follower means in each magazine operable byactuation of the associated slide, with latch means biased tooperatively connect the slide and follower means, and with latch releasemeans operable by displacement when a package is in dispensing positionon the slide to hold the latch means disengaged. The follower means,when actuated, successively advances the series of package tiers in themagazine compartment to dispensing position.

As the slides, followers, and latch, means for each magazine compartmentare identical a description of one will suffice for all. The follower,shown best in Figure 9, comprises a pair of parallel uprights II spacedapart transversely of the magazine and disposed behind the innermosttier of packages. At their upper ends the uprights have rigidly fixedthereto forward extensions 22 overlying the uppermost package. The frontend portions of these extensions are notched at their inner side edgesto receive in detachable engagement the spring arms of a substantiallyU- shaped tier separator I3 disposed vertically between the innermostand the intermediate tiers of packages and which provides a pusher forthe intermediate tier when the follower is advanced. Each extension 22also carries a rigidly attached tubular socket 23 extendinglongitudinally of the extension and receiving in sliding telescopicengagement the horizontally disposed and rearwardly directed arms ofasecond separator I4, similar to the separator I3 and disposed verticallybetween the outermost and intermediate tiers. The separator cooperateswith the front wall of the casing to provide vertical guide meansdirecting the successive packages of the first tier by gravity onto theforward end portion of the dispensing slide.

As shown in Figure 1, the lowermost package of the outer or first tierrests on the forward end portion of the slide and supports the stack ofpackages above it. The packages of the other tiers are supported abovethe slide by horizontal supports 5, here shown as ribs, carried by thepartitions 5, which permit free sliding of the tiers horizontally butwhich prevent the packages from dropping onto the slide until they haveadvanced beyond the front ends of the ribs. The front ends of the ribs 5are spaced suffiicently inwardly from the front wall of the casing topermit free dropping of packages when the tiers are advanced todispensing position.

The follower uprights II are rigidly secured at their lower ends to baseblocks I0 slidably seating on the base plate 2| and bevelled along theirouter side edges to interfit with undercut bevels along the inner sideedges of the side bars I of the slide. Thus the follower has adovetailed sliding engagement with the slide which permits free relativemovement between the two when reciprocated longitudinally with respectto the slide.

In the normal operation of the apparatus, until the last package isdispensed from the first tier, the follower means comprising base blocksI0, attached uprights H, and separators I3 and I4, remain stationarywhile the slide reciprocates freely relative thereto. Each side bar I ofthe slide is provided with an attached pusher 4 spaced inwardly from thefront end of the slide a distance sufficient to dispose it in positionto engage the rear edge of a package M when itrests uponthe forward endportion of the slide. When a package thus disposed is to be dispensedthe slide is pulled out to the limit of its travel. The pushers 4 carrythe package out through the delivery port 41 into the position shown inFigure 2, whereupon it may be lifted from the slide. The pushers 4 haverearwardly directed horizontal extensions which slide beneath thepackage support ribs 5 and as the slide moves outwardly these eX-tensions slide under and support the package in the first tier justabove the one being dispensed.

As the slide is returned to retracted position the extensions sliderearwardly under'the ribs 5, permitting the package which they supportedto drop down upon the slide. In this manner dispensing is continueduntil all packages in the first tier are removed. 1 1 1 I When the slideis retracted, as shown in Figures 1 and 9, so long as a package restsupon its forward end portion ahead of the pushers 4 it displace-sdownwardly "the flat forward end of a trigger lever l which comprises arelatively narrow strip extending longitudinally of the slide in theopen area between the slide side bars I. Lying alongside thetriggerlever 1 is-a second and much shorter substantially arcuate lever9 having front and rear arms diverging upwardly at a very wide anglefrom arounded fulcrum 8 which comprises a pin extending laterally fromopposite sides of the lever 9 and resting loosely on the base plate 2|with the ends of the pin seating in sockets [0 provided in the baseblocks Ill of the follower of the dispensing slide. The lever 1 restsloosely upon and fulcrums on the pin 8, from which point the leverinclines'up wardly whenever released. The latch bar is capable of freevertical movement relative to the uprights l l and a keeper 5% carriedthereby. The keeper is secured to the rear faces of the uprights andextends transversely thereof, providing a brace which imparts rigidityto the follower assembly.

. The function of the lever! is to maintain the latch l2 disengagedduring dispensing operations of the slide until the first tierofpackagesis exhausted. One side bar of the slide has at its rear endportion a longitudinally extending raised guideway l6 having a flat topedge adapted to slide beneath the latch I2 and hold it in elevatedposition when the slide is pulled out and when it is pushed in. Theforward end of the raised guide it terminates in a vertical shoulderwhich, when the latch has been permitted to drop down on the slide,engages the rear face of the latch bar so that when the slide is movedoutwardly the follower uprights M will be correspondingly advanced.However, as the forward end of the lever 1 remains depressed while apackage rests thereon, it is evident that the latch I2 cannot bereleased to drop down. and operatively connect the follower and slideuntil the last packageof the first tier has been removed and the slidereturned to its retracted position. In such position the weight 49causes the lever I to rock on its fulcrum and permits the latch bar todrop down on the slide just ahead of the shoulder of the guide 1 6.

When next the slide is pulled out the follower moves forward with. theslide, the uprights H and separator I 3 acting as pushers' which advancethe second and third tiers of packages along their supports 5 until thelast tier occupies the position formerly held by the second tier, andwith the secondtier resting at its bottom on the rear extensions of theslide carried pu-shers t. The slideis then pushed in, whereupon the.hottom package of the second tier, now at the front of the casing, dropsonto the front end of the slide ahead of the pushers 4 and the machineis again ready to dispense. i

In the recharging operation of the slide as just described the advancingmovement of the follower will correspondingly advance the shortlever 9,due to the fact that the endsof its ful- As the inward movement of theslide impartsv africtional drag on the base blocks ill of the followerthe resultant rearward thrust of thelever 9 against the latch carriedpin I! might cause the follower to move back to a point at which thesecond tier of packages would again be supported on the ribs 5. In orderto obviate this contingency I have provided-means to lock the followeragainst rearward movement each time it is advanced.

To accomplish the locking of the follower at the end of its firstadvance a detent I8 is provided on the forward portion of the lever l ina position to engage behind the fulcrum pin 8 when it comes to rest atthe end of its first stage of advance. The pin 8 is,ofcourse, attachedto or integral with th lever 9. The under side of the lever. 1 hasformed thereon a stop shoulder l8 having an inclined approach edge underwhich the pin 8 rides to lift the lever as itadvances until it passesbeyond theshoulder, whereupon the lever drops back down uponthe baseplate 2|. The shoulder l8 thus provides a detent engageable with thelever 9, through the pin 8, to lock it against rearward movement. It hasalready been explained that the lever 1 is restrained againstlongitudinal movement by the stop pin l9.

In this advanced position of the follower, shown in Figure 7., theforward end of the short lever 9 will be projected ahead of the slidepush-' ers 4 so that the lever 9 now takes up the primary function ofthe lever I, which it replaces, the weight of a package on its forwardend causing the lever to" rock on its fulcrum 8 to elevate its rear endand thus hold the'latch bar [2 in elevated position, disengaged from theslide. The slide may now be operated as before to dispense packagesuntil the second tier is exhausted.

During dispensing of the second tier the latch is maintained inelevatedposition independently of the lever 9. by means of a second raisedguideway !5 carried by the slide :in advance of and longitudinallyaligned with the guideway IS. The guideway I5 is also provided with aflat top edge tapered down at its rear end, which slides beneath thelatch. and holds it raised while the slide is reciprocated. At its frontend the guideway l5 terminates in a vertical shoulder which,

released to drop down and operatively connect the slide and followeruntil the last package of the second tier has been removed and the slidereturned to its retracted position. When this occurs the bias of thelatch bar causes the lever to rock on its fulcrum and permit the latchto drop down onto the slide just ahead of the shoulder at the front endof the raised guideway |5.

When the slide is again pulled out the follower will move forward withthe slide and the top arms of the separator l4, which now bears againstthe front face of the casing, will telescope within the sockets 23. Itshould here be noted that, as shown in Figure 9, the width and height ofthe separator i3 is less than that of the separator l4. Thus, as thethird tier is pushed forward by the uprights H the separator |3 nestswithin the separator |4 against the front face of the casing. The bottompackage of the third tier now is supported on the rear extensions of theslide pushers 4. The slide is then pushed in, whereupon the bottompackage drops onto the slide ahead of the pushers and the machine isagain ready to dispense.

' In this second recharging operation of the slide as just described theadvancing movement of the follower will cause a corresponding advance ofthe lever 9 until it occupies the position shown in Figure 8. As itsfulcrum pin 8 has moved beyond influence of the. shoulder IS on thelever the necessary locking of the lever against rearward movement iseffected by lodgement of the pin 8 in a socket recess 20 providedtherefor in the base plate 2|, into which the pin drops at the limit offorward movement'of the lever with the follower. In this final advancedposition of the magazine follower the slide may be operated as beforeuntil the tier is exhausted. As the rear end of the lever 9 is connectedto the latch pin H the follower cannot be moved rearwardly with theslide. The engagement of the pin 8 in its holding socket 20 looks thelever and follower against such movement.

The invention further comprehends an arrangement by which the idlestroke of the slide in advancing the second and third tiers iseliminated. This consists in so balancing the trigger levers l and 9that when less than the weight of two packages rests on their outer endsthe latch will be allowed to drop into operative connection with theslide at the shoulders of the raised guideways IE or as the case may be.

An additional important feature of the invention lies in the provisionof means by which all slides except the one selected for operation arelocked against movement, preventing operation of more than one slide ata time. With particular reference to Figures 9 and 5 it will be seenthat the outside edges of the side bars I of the slides, adjacent theirinner ends, are notched as at 39 in transverse alignment. The notcheshave their inner walls inclined inwardly from their rear ends andproviding cam surfaces which engage vertical pins 42 carried by aplurality of axially aligned short rods 4| axially slidable in a tubularholder 40 secured to the under face of the base plate 2|. The upperportion of the holder is longitudinally slotted to permit shifting ofthe pins 42 axially of the holder under the camming action of the notchwalls as the respective slides are pulled outwardly. The depth of thenotches is such that one notch will just house a pin moved thereinto bythe camming action of the mating notch of an adjoining slide as it movesoutwardly; the pins 42 being preferably disposed between adjacentslides. It will be apparent that when one slide is moved out itstrailing side edge in rear of its notch restrains the adjacent pinagainst movement out of the notch in the adjacent slide in which it ishoused, thus preventing movement of more than one slide at a time.

The present apparatus is especially adapted for counter use where thedispensing operation is performed by an attendant on order ofpurchasers. As a means of insuring thatthe contents of the cash drawershall tally with the cash value of the merchandise dispensed, themachine is provided with means for registering the total cash value ofmerchandise as it is dispensed, and/ or with means for registering thetotal number of packages or articles removed.

The total monetary value of merchandise dispensed from the display caseis registered on a counter 24, of which there are many known types,mounted in the casing at one side of the battery of magazines. Theoperating sprocket 26 which forms a part of the counter has a chaindrive 21 from a larger sprocket 28 on a shaft 5| extending transverselyof the casing. A counter actuator 29, here shown as a relatively widefiat member extends transversely across the entire width of the magazinecompartments beneath the base 2|, being pivotally mounted at itsopposite ends in the axis of its lower edge in bearings 30 mounted onthe panel 43. The actuator member is capable of oscillation in avertical are between the base 2| and the underlying panel 43. At one endthe actuator has an operating attachment to the sprocket 28 whereby asthe actuator is oscillated forwardly with respect to the casing thesprocket is correspondingly rotated on the shaft 5|. Ratchet means, notshown, prevents reverse operation of the counter when the actuator ismoved rearwardly.

A second and similar counter 25 is arranged in axial alignment with thecounter 24, and is operable to register the total number of packagesdispensed. The number counter, see Figure 6, is actuated by means of aleaf spring connecting rod 36 connected at one end to a crank on thecounter shaft and at its other end to a hub extension 52 of the sprocket28.

Both counters thus are operated from the same actuator member 29. Thismember receives its oscillatory forward stroke by blocks 32 adjustablevertically by means of screw 33 in depending relation to slide bars 3|which are mounted for reciprocation longitudinally in the space betweenthe base plate 2| and the panel 43. It will be understood that one suchslide 3| with its associated block 32 is provided beneath eachdispensing slide. Each slide 3| has a downturned vertical rear end 34bearing slidably on the panel 43 and backstopping its block 32, and isfurther provided with an upturned vertical front end portion 35 whichprojects up between the side bars of the dispensing slide normally in aposition to lie against the inner face of the slide front plate 2 whenthe dispensing slide is fully retracted. In this position the upstandingend 35 of the register slide is engaged by a package when seated on thefront end of the slide ahead of the pushers 4 and is thus moved by thepackage forwardly with the dispensing slide as it is pulled out.

As the register slide 3| thus moves outwardly its block 32 engages theactuator member 29 and carries it forwardly through a vertical are fromits rear limit as shown in Figure 1 to its front limit as shown inFigure 2. Accordingly both counters are operated. The actuator 29 isbiased by a spring 6| to return to its, rear limit position as the slide3| is carried inwardly by retracting movement of the dispensing slide. g

It is apparent that by adjusting the blocks 32 to a lower position thestroke of the actuator may be lengthened, and correspondingly, anelevation of the blocks will decrease the actuator stroke. Since thevalue count registered on counter 24 is directly proportional to theextent of arcuate travel of the actuator 29, and as each slide 3! has aseparate adjustable block 32, it is evident that the merchandisedispensed by each slide may have a diiferent value if desired, and thecorrect total value, will be registered on the counter and thereindicated.

Due to the fact that for different price ranges on the separatedispensing slides the actuator 29 will be difierently moved as thevarious slides are operated, the cranks, operating the number counter 25are so proportioned as to register a single count at the minimum pricerange. Stop means is provided for the'crank on the shaft of counter 25so that it may notbe operated beyond registry of a single unit. Undersuch conditions, ,where the actuator 29 moves througha greater are thanthat through which it moves in re stering the minimum value, the springconnecting rod 35 will flex sufiiciently to permit the additionalmovement without damage to the counter 25.

When no package is present on the dispensing slide, as in the case ofits outward movement when advancing the magazine tiers, the registermeans cannot be operated for no element of the dispensing slide engagesthe upstanding front end 35 of the register slide 31. Thus the operationof the slide in changing tiers is not registered and does not afiect thetotals.

However, when a package is in position on the slide to be dispensed, thedispensing slide cannot be pulled out without the act of its operationbeing registered on the counters.

When all packages have been dispensed-from the last tier in a magazinethe casing front may be removed and the follower and trigger leverassembly be reset by hand before reloading. In reloading the magazine ofany compartment the separators l3 and M are detached from the horizontaltop extensions 22 of the follower uprights Having thus described theinvention, what is claimed is:

1. In a package dispensing apparatus, a maga zine arranged to house aplurality of separate and serially aligned tiers of packages, adispensing slide reciprocable beneath all said tiers and supporting oneend tier with its lowermost package seated on the slide, pusher meanscarried by said slide for delivering said lowermost package ondispensing movement of the slide, means on the slide engageable with thenext lower package to support said end tier during dispensing movementof the slide, a follower for advancing said tiers in the magazine to theposition of said end tier following its exhaustion, latch means on saidfollower andbiased to engage said slide for operatively connecting saidslide and follower whereby to advance the follower and tiers on movementof said slide in one direction, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its endsbeneath the magazine, one end of said lever engaging and being depressedby a package when seated on the slide, and the other for moving saidfollower with the slide toadvance I l the tiers in the magazine, meansoperable by engagement with a package when received on said slide tohold said connecting means inoperative, said holdin means beingrestrained against movement with said slide as it is reciprocated, andmeans on said slide engageablewith said connecting means on dispensingmo-veme'ntof the slide prior to disengagement of said package controlledholding means whereby to maintain said connecting means inoperativeuntil the first named holding means has again become engaged with areplacement package received on the slide.

3. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slidereciprocable relative thereto to receive at one limit of its travel apackage from an end tier and to' deliver said package at its othertravel limit, a followerin the magazine engaging the other end: tier, aslide engaging means on said follower and biased to an operativeconnection with the slide whereby to advance said follower and tiers bydispensing movement of the slide, and means'displaceable by a package onthe slide at its package receiving position toabut said slide engagingmeans and disconnect the slide and follower.

4. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slide,reciprocable beneath the magazine to. receive at one positionof itstravel a package from an end. tier and to deliver the package at anotherposition of its travel, a follower in the magazine behind the other endtier of the series, slide engaging means on said follower and biased toan operative connection with the slide whereby to advance the followerand tiers by dispensing movement of I the slide, means operable by apackage on the slide when at its package receiving position to hold saidengaging means disengaged, said holding, means being ineffective in theabsence of a package on the slide whereby on dispensing movement of theslide said follower and succeeding tiers will be advanced the depth of.one tier, separate means operable by a package on the slide receivedfrom the succeeding ad-,. vanced tier-to hold. said engaging meansdisengaged, said separate holding means being ineffective in the absenceof a package on the slide, and means operable upon advancing movement ofthe follower to lock it against retrograde movement.

5. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slidereciprocable beneath the magazine to receive at one position of itstravel a package from the magazine and to deliver the package at anotherposition of its travel, a follower in the magazine for successivelyadvancing the tiers, and means operable by movement of the slidefollowing exhaustion of one tier to advance the succeeding tiers.

6. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slidereciprocable beneath the magazine to receive at one position of itstravel a package from an end tier and to deliver the package at anotherposition of its travel, a follower in the magazine behind the other endtier of the series, a planal support on which said slide isreciprocated, said follower having a base slidable on said supportindependently of said slide, a latch on said follower and biased to aposition operatively connecting said slide and follower for simultaneousmovement, a short lever having a connection at one end with said latch,fulcrum means for said lever engaging said base for movement therewith,a longer lever loosely supported by said fulcrum means and fulcrumedthereon intermediate the lever ends, one end of said longer lever beingdisposed to be depressed by a package on said slide at its packagereceiving position, the other end of said longer lever being therebypositioned to move said latch to disconnected position, said longerlever being ineffective for operation of the latch in the absence of apackage on the slide when in receiving position, whereby, on dispensingmovement of the slide said follower and its base are moved with and bythe slide to advance the succeeding tier in the magazine, said shortlever and the fulcrum means moving with the follower base to dispose thefree end of said short lever in position to be depressed by a packagereceived on said slide from said succeeding tier whereby to elevate itslatch connected end to move said latch to slide disconnected position, adetent on said longer lever, and said fulcrum means of the short leverbeing engageable with the detent when said short lever is advanced tolock said short lever and the follower against retrograde movement.

7. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of tiers of packages in serial alignment, a dispensing slidereciprocable beneath the magazine to receive at one position a packagefrom one end tier and to deliver the package at another position, aplanal support on which said slide reciprocates, said slide beinglongitudinally slotted, a follower in the magazine behind the other endtier and having a base slidable on said planal support in the slot ofsaid slide, a latch on said follower and biased to a positionoperatively connecting said slide and follower for simultaneousmovement, a long lever loosely supported on a fulcrum carried by thefollower base and shiftable therewith relative to the lever, meansrestraining said lever against shifting but permitting oscillation onsaid fulcrum, one end of said lever engaging said latch and the otherend being positioned for displacement by a package received on the slidewhereby to rock thelever and move said latch to disconnected position, ashort lever alongside the long lever and attached to said fulcrum foroscillation thereon and shifting movement therewith longitudinally ofthe long lever, said short lever having one end connected to said latch,said long lever being ineffective with respect to the latch in theabsence of a package on,

the slide from the end tier, whereby, on dispensing movement of theslide said follower, its base, the short lever and the fulcrum are allshifted with the slide to advance a following tier in the magazine,-andalso to dispose the other end of the short lever in position to bedisplaced by a package received on the slide from the advanced tier,saidshort lever being rocked on the fulcrum by such end displacement to movesaid latch to disconnected position, and said short lever beingineffectiveto move the latch in the absence of a package received on theslide from said advanced tier whereby upon dispensing movement of theslide all said follower, its base, the short lever and the fulcrum areshifted by the slide to advance another following tier in the magazine,and means operable to lock said follower against retrograde movement.

8. In a dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house a pluralityof serially aligned tiersof packages, a slide reciprocable beneath themagazine to dispense a package from one end tier, a follower disposedvertically in the magazine behind the other end tier of the series, ahorizontal top extension on said follower overlying the adjacent endtier, a separator detachably carried by said extension verticallybetween said end tier and the adjacent intermediate tier. a socketcarried by said extension, a second separator disposed verticallybetween said intermediate tier and the first named end tier, and meanson the upper end of said second separator in telescopic supportingengagement with said socket over the top of said intermediate tier.

9. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slidereciprocable relative thereto to receive at one limit of its travelapackage from an end tier and o deliver said package at its other travellimit, tier follower means in the magagine and biased to an operativeconnection with the slide for advancing the follower on dispensingmovement of the slide, and means operable to disconnect said slide andfollower while a package is on said slide.

10. In a package dispensing apparatus, a magazine arranged to house aplurality of serially aligned tiers of packages, a dispensing slidereciprocable relative there o to receive at one limit of its travel apackage from an end tier and to deliver said package at its other travellimit, tier follower means in the magazine and movable relative to saidslide, means biased to establish a connection between said slide andfollower for movement in unison, and means in the magazine independentlyof the slide to disconnect the slide and follower while a is on saidslide.

GEORGE H. NITSCHMAN.

package

